This is a pivotal year for the Delta Tau chapter, and it would appreciate your support.

We are excited to tell you that the Fraternity is working to return to campus this fall with a house in the Greek Village.

As background, the chapter has been operating off-campus this year after being reinstated as a student organization. While the chapter has moved forward, the fact is the presence of a house on campus will contribute to better bonding as Brothers and significantly improve recruiting during rush. The chapter is currently working to fill the house.

There are 15 active members and five pledges at the moment, which is certainly not as large a group as it was for many of us "back in the day."

The relatively low number of members is also an issue for other fraternities, and can be attributed to the alcohol-related/hazing/death incident by Pi Kappa Alpha. There's no question this has adversely influenced the thinking of incoming students and their parents about joining a fraternity. It's not fair, but it is what it is. To counter, I'm pleased to report, that a Delt initiated idea - for the Interfraternity Council to establish a subcommittee to proactively address recruitment - has been established. The next rush, which is in the fall, should benefit from this.

Last year, more alumni than ever responded positively to the annual appeal. That support helped immensely with rush, the chapter's operations, and the ability for active members to attend Delt conferences. We hope, with your help, we are able to continue to provide this support.

We would also like to begin covering the parlor fee associated with having a house on campus. It's $960 if it can be paid by May 1; otherwise it's $1,200. Thanks to a past campaign, we have some money to do this … but not enough. Unfortunately, membership dues continue to increase in large measure because of the liability insurance every fraternity must carry. By paying the parlor fee, dues will be lower which we believe will be a competitive advantage for recruiting new members.

In addition, as you can imagine, moving into a new house will require some additional expenses to personalize it and make it our Shelter. With your help, this can happen too.

I hope you agree there are good reasons to support the chapter, and that your help is needed. Just imagine if each of the 1,027 Brothers receiving this email would contribute $25, what an impact that would have! Of course, that's not going to happen … 10 percent responded positively last year … which makes it even more important for you to consider giving what you can to keep the fraternity moving forward.

In addition, the chapter celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, and your support will help keep this legacy going.

Delta Tau Alumni Supervisory Committee

Mike Hart ’83, Chapter Advisor

Tim Berry ’84

Pete Cowie ’70

Mike Howick ’89

Mike Kuhlin ’68

Jim McNerney ’79

Nick Braun, Chapter President